Catalysts and process for the production of hydrocarbons and substitution of hydrocarbons

Abstract

A method of selective beta-alkylation of aromatic substrates such as naphthalene or a derivative thereof, comprising reacting the substrate with an alcohol or olefin alkylating agent in the presence of a catalyst selected from the group consisting of a crystallized borosilicate glass zeolite and a crystalline alumina-silica catalyst, said catalyst being at least 86% beta selective with respect to the alkylation of naphthalene by the alkylating agent.

We claim: 
     
       1. A method of preferred beta-position alkylation of a substrate comprising naphthalene or a derivative thereof, which comprises reacting the substrate with a C 1  -C 3  -alkanol or C 2  -C 3  -olefin alkylating agent while contacting the substrate and alkylating agent with a catalyst selected from the group consisting of a crystallized borosilicate glass zeolite alkylation catalyst and a crystalline silica-alumina catalyst at 400°-500°, said catalyst being at least 86% beta selective with respect to the alkylation of naphthalene by said alkylating agent at 400°-500° C. 
     
     
       2. The method of claim 1, wherein said crystallized borosilicate glass zeolite has been crystallized from a reaction system comprising a source of finely powdered borosilicate glass and a template for a reaction time of less than 24 hours. 
     
     
       3. The method of claim 2, wherein the template is a tetraalkylammonium hydroxide, chloride, iodide, or bromide. 
     
     
       4. The method of claim 3, wherein the template is tetraalkylammonium hydroxide. 
     
     
       5. A method according to claim 1, wherein said catalyst is a ZSM-5 catalyst. 
     
     
       6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the alkylating agent is a C 1  -C 3  alkanol. 
     
     
       7. The process of claim 1, wherein said catalytic conversion occurs in the presence of mesitylene.